IndusInd Legend Credit Card Review: Should You Get It?
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Is the Legend worthy of the name despite being an LTF free credit card? Read before you apply for the Indusind Legend credit card.
Table of Content
I first heard about the IndusInd Legend credit card on an online forum. Someone mentioned this "lifetime free Legend card". That was 18 months ago, and since then, I've been quietly tracking this card. The "Legend" branding feels ambitious for a lifetime free card. Most banks reserve such grand names for their premium offerings.
But IndusInd positioned this as their flagship lifestyle card without any joining or annual fees. It caught my attention because, frankly, I'm always skeptical when banks promise premium experiences for free.
What started as curiosity turned into a deep investigation. I tracked 19 community discussions and watched how IndusInd handled major changes like discontinuing lounge access. The story that emerged isn't pretty, and I'll share exactly why this card scores only 4.1/10 in my assessment.
The Legend Card Basics: What IndusInd Actually Offers?
Issuer | IndusInd Bank |
Network | Visa |
Lifetime Free | Yes |
UPI Enabled | Yes |
Has Dining Benefit | Yes |
Has Travel Benefit | Yes |
Has Fuel Benefit | Yes |
Has Online Shopping Benefits | Yes |
Has Entertainment Benefit | Yes |
Has Groceries Benefit | Yes |
Lounge Access | No (Discontinued after March 2025) |
Rewards | Earn regular reward points on weekdays |
Rewards Multiplier | 2x rewards during the weekends |
The IndusInd Legend's main attraction is its lifetime free structure and a weekend-focused approach.
You earn 1 reward point per Rs. 100 spent on weekdays, and 2 reward points per Rs. 100 on weekends. There's also a welcome bonus of 3,000 points if you spend Rs. 5 lakh or more within the first year.
When I calculated the actual value, those 3,000 points translate to roughly Rs. 750-1,000 in redemptions, depending on how you use them.
Key Benefits of the IndusInd Legend Credit Card
- Lifetime free with no annual or joining fees
- 1x points weekdays, 2x points weekends
- Rs. 25 lakh personal accident insurance coverage
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver at petrol pumps
- 1.8% foreign transaction fee (better than standard 3.5%)
Recent Changes to Lounge Access Benefits
A few months back, IndusInd announced that airport lounge access would be discontinued effective March 7, 2025. The concerning part wasn't just the removal, but how they handled it.
Many users reported receiving no prior notice, learning about the change through social media or when their access was denied at airports. This communication failure became a recurring theme in my research.
When banks make unilateral changes without proper customer notification, it raises questions about what other benefits might disappear suddenly.
Weekend vs Weekday Rewards Test
I decided to test the weekend reward structure through a hypothetical scenario.
Let's saw we have a weekly spend of Rs. 50,000 across a month. This can include grocery shopping on weekends (Rs. 15,000), online purchases during weekdays (Rs. 20,000), and dining expenses split between both (Rs. 15,000).
The weekend shopping will give 300 extra points compared to weekday spending, which translates to roughly Rs. 75-100 in additional value.
However, the redemption process is frustrating based on what I read in the forums. Converting points to actual cash or meaningful vouchers required navigating multiple screens in their portal. The redemption rates are also kind of disappointing compared to my Amazon ICICI card's straightforward 5% cashback on Amazon purchases.
While my Amazon ICICI card shows direct cashback in my statement, the Legend card requires logging into a separate portal, check point balances, and calculate redemption values.
Community Reality Check
The Negative Sentiment Around IndusInd Legend
After analyzing multiple discussions across Reddit and other forums, the sentiment is overwhelmingly negative.
Customer service complaints appeared often, with even issues like fake promises (related to credit limit issuance on applciation screen).
The lounge access discontinuation generated significant frustration in the discussions, too. One user on Reddit mentioned feeling "betrayed" by the sudden change, especially since they had chosen the card partly for airport lounge benefits. The lack of advance notice made users question what other features might disappear without warning.
Real User Stories I Found
"I've been using IndusInd Bank Legend CC for all of my spends except Amazon...it has been nothing but a pathetic experience with no real value gained."
Big Problem with IndusInd Bank Legend CC
byu/anonymous1490 inCreditCardsIndia
The Transparency Issue:
IndusInd is the most unethical bank in India! Don't get their credit cards!
byu/throwaway_batman_ inCreditCardsIndia
This user's experience with credit limit promises that weren't honored reflects broader trust issues with IndusInd's communication.
Another user compared the Legend card directly with HDFC Regalia Gold, noting that HDFC's customer service and reward structure provided better value despite higher annual fees.
This comparison became a pattern in discussions, with users consistently favoring established players like HDFC and ICICI over IndusInd's offerings.
Competitor Comparison: Where Indusind Legend Falls Short
vs HDFC Regalia Gold
HDFC Regalia Gold charges Rs. 2,500 annually but offers superior rewards, reliable customer service, and stable benefits.
The reward rate of 4 points per Rs. 150 on most categories translates to roughly 1.33% returns, significantly better than Legend's 0.25-0.60%. More importantly, HDFC's customer service consistently resolves queries without the frustration I experienced with IndusInd.
The annual fee becomes justified when you consider the reliability factor. HDFC rarely makes sudden benefit changes without proper notice, and their digital platforms work smoothly. For users who value predictability and service quality, paying Rs. 2,500 annually for Regalia Gold makes more sense than dealing with Legend's inconsistencies.
vs IDFC First Bank Lifetime Free Cards
IDFC First offers multiple lifetime free cards with simpler, more transparent reward structures.
Their customer service, while not perfect, provides clearer communication than what I experienced with IndusInd. The digital experience feels more polished, and benefit changes are communicated properly to cardholders.
Community feedback on Reddit forums consistently favors IDFC First's approach to customer relationships over IndusInd's. For users seeking lifetime free cards without the drama, IDFC First emerges as a more reliable choice.
vs Amazon ICICI
My Amazon ICICI card offers 5% cashback on Amazon purchases and 1% everywhere else. The simplicity is unmatched - no point calculations, no redemption hassles, direct cashback credited to my statement. After six months of comparing both cards, the Amazon ICICI consistently provides better value for my spending pattern.
Customer service with ICICI has been reliable. When I had a transaction dispute, it was resolved in two calls over three days.
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Get This Card?
The card makes most sense for existing IndusInd customers who want a credit facility without annual fees. If you're already dealing with their banking services and have established relationships, adding the credit card becomes a logical extension.
Consider the Legend card if you:
- Already bank with IndusInd and want integrated credit facilities
- Spend heavily on weekends and can maximize the 2x point structure
- Value the Rs. 25 lakh travel insurance coverage
- Have tolerance for customer service issues
Skip the Legend card if you:
- Prefer straightforward cashback over point systems
- Need reliable customer service for card issues
- Want stable benefits without sudden changes
- Spend primarily on Amazon or specific categories
- Value service quality over zero annual fees
Final Verdict on IndusInd Legend Credit Card
What IndusInd Legend Does Right
The lifetime free structure eliminates annual fee concerns, which appeals to cost-conscious users.
The Rs. 25 lakh insurance coverage provides genuine protection value that many lifetime free cards don't offer. For existing IndusInd customers, the integrated banking relationship can simplify financial management.
Weekend spending rewards can benefit users who concentrate their purchases on Saturdays and Sundays.
If you're someone who does major grocery shopping, dining, and entertainment expenses during weekends, the 2x point structure provides measurably better returns than weekday spending.
Where It Disappoints
Customer service consistently fails to meet basic expectations. The communication failures around benefit changes damage trust.
Removing lounge access without proper notice shows poor customer relationship management. Users deserve transparency about changes to their financial products, especially when those benefits influenced their initial decision to apply.
Also, the reward value remains below competitive alternatives. The complex point system, poor redemption rates, and weekend-dependent structure provide lower returns than simpler cashback cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IndusInd Legend card really lifetime free?
Yes, according to IndusInd's official documentation, there are no joining or annual fees throughout the card's lifetime. However, given their history of sudden benefit changes like lounge access removal, monitor communications for any policy modifications.
What happened to the airport lounge access?
IndusInd discontinued airport lounge access effective March 7, 2025, without providing adequate advance notice to cardholders. Many users learned about this change through social media or when their access was denied at airports. This communication failure became a major trust issue for existing customers.
How do the weekend rewards actually work?
You earn 1 reward point per Rs. 100 spent on weekdays (Monday-Friday) and 2 reward points per Rs. 100 on weekends (Saturday-Sunday). Each point is worth approximately Rs. 0.25-0.30 in redemptions, giving you 0.25-0.30% returns on weekdays and 0.50-0.60% on weekends.
Is IndusInd customer service really that bad?
Based on my personal experience and community feedback from 19 discussions, customer service issues are consistently reported. Common problems include long wait times, multiple transfers, and representatives unfamiliar with card benefits. This pattern appears across multiple user experiences, not isolated incidents.
What are better alternatives to this card?
For cashback simplicity: Amazon ICICI (5% on Amazon, 1% elsewhere). For premium features: HDFC Regalia Gold despite annual fees. For lifetime free reliability: IDFC First Bank cards with better customer communication. For specific categories: SBI Cashback card for online spends.
Should I keep this card if I already have it?
Keep it as a backup card if you're already approved, especially for the Rs. 25 lakh insurance coverage. Use it strategically for weekend spending to maximize the 2x points, but don't rely on it as your primary card. Maintain other cards for important transactions where customer service might be needed.
What's the minimum income requirement for approval?
IndusInd doesn't publish specific income requirements. Approval depends on bank discretion considering income, credit score, and existing relationship with IndusInd. Generally, a stable income and good credit history improve approval chances.
How long does the application process take?
Typically 5-7 working days after video KYC completion. However, some users in community forums reported longer processing times without clear communication about delays. Have backup plans if you need a card urgently.
About the Author
Anmol
Anmol writes detailed blogs and content about credit cards available in India and how to take full advantage of credit cards while avoiding marketing noise.